Highest Paying Jobs At McDonald’s: Top McDonald’s Salaries [2026]
Research Summary. In 2026, our Zippia data experts have utilized public government and company data, alongside insights from thousands of job postings, to identify a range of high-earning positions at McDonald’s and their average annual salaries. This information provides a comprehensive view of salary estimates for various roles within the company.
Here’s a quick overview of our findings for the highest-paying jobs at McDonald’s:
-
Shift Manager holds the top position at McDonald’s with an average salary of $29,500 and an average hourly rate of $14.18.
-
The second highest-paying position at McDonald’s is Team Leader, with an average salary of $28,000.
-
The average annual salary at McDonald’s is now $26,000, translating to an average hourly pay of $12.50.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Many prospective employees have a clear vision of the companies they wish to work for, often before identifying specific job roles. If you’re considering a career with McDonald’s, understanding the highest-paid positions can guide your application process and career trajectory.
How much do McDonald’s employees earn? Salaries can vary based on factors such as role, experience level, and location. However, certain positions consistently offer higher pay. Here are some of the top salaries at McDonald’s:
Below is a complete table of the highest-paying jobs at McDonald’s, followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest Paying Jobs At McDonald’s
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shift Manager | |
| 2 | Team Leader | |
| 3 | Shift Supervisor | |
| 4 | Swing Manager | |
| 5 | Crew Trainer | |
| 6 | Customer Service Representative | |
| 7 | Floor Supervisor | |
| 8 | Grill Cook | |
| 9 | Food Service Worker | |
| 10 | Cashier | |
| 11 | Cook/Server | |
| 12 | Crew Member |
Methodology
To create its salary estimates, Zippia leverages publicly available information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
The data science team cross-references job postings and company-published resources for the most current salary information. After gathering the data, they calculate a weighted average for each job title. For more details on our salary estimates, you can view our detailed methodology.
Highest Paying Jobs At McDonald’s FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid job at McDonald’s?
The highest-paid job at McDonald’s is a Shift Manager. These professionals earn an average salary of $29,500, which equates to approximately $14.18 per hour.
The top 10 highest-paid jobs at McDonald’s are:
-
What is a good salary at McDonald’s?
A good salary at McDonald’s is one that exceeds the average of $26,000 per year. If you’re earning more than this amount, you’re generally in a favorable position.
However, keep in mind that $26,000 may still be inadequate for certain roles, so do your research on the average salary for your specific position and experience level. If you find your compensation lacking, consider negotiating for a raise or seeking opportunities for advancement.
Salary can also vary by location, as McDonald’s often adjusts its pay scales based on the cost of living in different areas. For instance, salaries in urban regions may be significantly higher than in rural areas.
Check local averages for McDonald’s salaries to see how your earnings compare.
-
Do jobs at McDonald’s pay well?
Generally, jobs at McDonald’s do not offer high salaries. The average starting salary is around $17,000 per year or $8.17 per hour. The overall average salary at McDonald’s is approximately $26,000 per year ($12.50 per hour), which is significantly lower than the national average salary of about $55,000 per year.
In comparison, competitors like Chick-fil-A have been noted to offer higher average salaries, making McDonald’s less competitive in terms of pay.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
